Well, bad news Paul. Bob beat you to something else: turning 70. When Dylan turned 70 in May, it was accompanied with all manner of fanfare, tributes, and think pieces. We ourselves held a five-day celebration. Paul’s 70th birthday today comes with noticeably less pomp and circumstance. No lavish tributes, no critic navel-gazing, not much notice of any kind. It’s an occasion worth celebrating though, whether he was first or not.

In that spirit, we’ve put together a set of birthday covers for Mr. Simon. The songs all come from his solo work (plenty of Simon & Garfunkel covers to be found here) and include some of his biggest hits performed by some of his biggest admirers. Wish the man a happy birthday below and remember why Paul Simon is second to no one.

Streetlight Manifesto – Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (Paul Simon cover)

Last year, Jersey ska giants Streetlight Manifesto disappointed some fans by returning from a hiatus with…a cover album. The fact is, though, it was an incredibly good cover album, one we named the 16th best of the year. Hear why with their roaring horn-punk take on one of Simon’s biggest tunes.

Noah and the Whale – You Can Call Me Al (Paul Simon cover)

Want proof that Paul Simon continues to inspire? Just yesterday John Wesley Harding and comedian Eugene Mirman parodied the iconic Chevy Chase-featuring “You Can Call Me Al” music video in Harding’s new video. Watch that, then check out Noah and the Whale’s 2008 b-side cover.

G. Love – 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon cover)

The Avett Brothers produced this song and their influence is obvious. Acoustic folk gets a high-octane twist with handclaps, stomps, and a big sing-along chorus.

Big Daddy – Graceland (Paul Simon cover)

Eighties cover band Big Daddy had the oldies-style covers shtick going two decades before the Baseballs. On “Graceland,” they turn Simon’s Africa-inflected ballad into an Elvis-esque tune, even cribbing melodies from “All Shook Up” for a dramatic transformation.

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